St. Lawrence Cruise Lines for Travel Groups

Experience the beauty and history of Canada’s rivers on a classic riverboat

Is a river cruise that pairs natural beauty and Canadian history on your bucket list? Have you always wanted to see the Thousand Islands up close? How about checking out the Parliament buildings in Ottawa from the riverside or following the routes taken by the original Voyageurs? Or perhaps you simply want to celebrate 50 years of marriage with a restful journey in the calm waters of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. Don’t wait for spring to begin creating those special memories. Book that voyage of a lifetime now.

The dream of a relaxing trip on calm waters while you take in the spectacular views along the riverbanks and into the distance soon becomes reality on the CANADIAN EMPRESS.

This unique small ship has an exterior profile that evokes a classic 20th-century riverboat, complete with brass railings and other aspects reminiscent of the Victorian era. This profile, in combination with a modern interior style and conveniences, makes it the perfect vessel to transport passengers through space and time.

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History of the CANADIAN EMPRESS

The CANADIAN EMPRESS was built in 1981 as a passion project of Kingston entrepreneur Robert W. Clark, who had lived on and loved the St. Lawrence River for many years. Once the vessel was complete, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines was born, and the business remains family-owned and operated to this day.

The current president, Jason Clark, has maintained the original vision of the company, which was to share the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence River with travelers, and to provide a perspective on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers that can only be experienced on a small ship cruise.

“She really is a one-of-a-kind ship,” says Clark. “We know that our passengers are going to be able to see and feel the river in a way they have never experienced before. The Empress has a certain warmth and intimacy about her, and every year we hear back from passengers who have simply fallen in love with the vessel.”

The small ship has a length of 108 feet and holds a maximum of 64 passengers and 14 crew members. The accommodations include 32 staterooms on two decks—all featuring river views, private bathrooms, and individual climate control. An intimate view of the river is never far away, with indoor and outdoor lounges, as well as a large sundeck, to deliver the dual options of privacy or close connections with new friends.

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Great Evening Entertainment Options on St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

On-board activities from dancing to games and evening entertainment are offered, as are regular onshore excursions. At any time, guests are also invited to lie back and just enjoy the sights and sounds of the rivers or savor the top-quality meals in the ship’s dining room.

“The river is our home,” says Clark. “We have known it and loved it for more than 40 years and we want to share it with Canadians who want to travel close to home and with our neighbours from the U.S. who want to see Canada from a unique perspective.”

Cruises focus on a variety of routes emphasizing different aspects of surroundings, seasons and history. The Celebration of Spring is an eight-day return journey through the Thousand Islands from Kingston to Montreal on the St. Lawrence, focusing on the flora and fauna of the early part of the year. The Fall Harvest and Colour Cruise takes a similar route to celebrate the magnificence of the red and gold shades of early autumn.

For history buffs, the Heritage Summer Cruise concentrates on the trade routes of the early Upper Canada explorers in the Thousand Islands region. Other cruise selections include the Canadian Connection Cruise, which transits the St. Lawrence River between Kingston, Ontario and Quebec City, highlighting the history and the cultures of English and French Canada. Alternatively, the Canada’s Capital Cruise emphasizes of history and culture of the nation’s capital of Ottawa and the Ottawa River.

Two new cruises have been added for 2025 from May 15-19 and October 22-26. These 5-day cruises are part of the Discovery Cruise Series, which feature a deeper focus on the history of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway, augmented by step-on speakers who are experts in the region.

“River cruising is all about having an intimate and authentic experience,” says Clark. “The atmosphere aboard our classic riverboat is warm and friendly to try to enhance that experience.”

Cruise options range from four to seven nights, starting at $2,148 per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement rooms are available, if required. Stateroom fares include all accommodations, meals, ship’s reserve wine and domestic beer during meals, and daily shore excursions. Call 1-800-267-7868 to find out more about cruise availability on the CANADIAN EMPRESS, or request a brochure through their website at www.stlawrencecruiselines.com